The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has written the Parliamentary Committee on Health demanding an audit on blood collection, distribution, and accessibility. 

CDEDI alleges that its investigations have revealed that the Malaŵi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) is only able to make available 100 units per day against the country’s daily requirement of 500 blood units.

Reads part of the letter: “Your committee should invoke its constitutional powers and oversight role to call for a blood collection, distribution, and accessibility audit in all public institutions in the country are in line with the Public Finance Management Act and audited reports should be submitted to the Auditor General (AG).”

CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa has told us that there is a need to institute an independent investigation to ascertain the MBTS’s failure to collect blood as required.

Namiwa added that authorities need to call for a public hearing to justify Malaŵi’s perennial blood shortages.

The outspoken human rights advocacy organisation has since given the Committee a period of seven days to look into the matter.

“We at CDEDI and indeed all well-meaning Malawians find solace in your leadership’s speed and dedication in handling health-related matters in the country.

“On behalf of patients who are queuing up waiting for blood to undergo surgery, we are giving your committee seven days to act on this very pertinent matter,” Namiwa said.

The responsible parliamentary committee has acknowledged receiving the CDEDI letter but expressed discontent over a seven-day ultimatum the organisation has issued.